Audible Isn’t Everything: Explore 7 Other Best Audiobook Apps

Audiobooks are rapidly becoming one of the fastest-growing segments in the publishing industry, with the market valued at $5.3 billion in 2023 and expected to see substantial growth, reaching $35 billion by 2030. This boom isn't just a fleeting trend; it reflects a significant shift in how users consume literary and entertainment content. Seen as the new frontier for writers and publishers, audiobooks have become a popular and increasingly preferred choice over the past decade.

Many people immediately think of Audible when it comes to audiobooks, as it's one of the largest and most renowned platforms in this field. However, Audible isn’t the only option. In fact, there are several other apps that can offer an excellent audiobook experience, some of which may even be better suited to your personal needs.

Below is a list of seven top audiobook apps that I’ve used and found highly satisfactory. Each app has its own unique advantages, from supporting independent bookstores to offering free audiobooks through public libraries.

1. Libro.fm: Supporting Independent Bookstores

If you’re looking for an alternative to Audible and want to support independent bookstores, Libro.fm is an excellent choice. With over 450,000 titles available, Libro.fm offers a membership service for $14.99 per month. A portion of this membership fee goes to the independent bookstore of your choice, helping to support the local economy and encouraging the growth of small businesses.

One of the strengths of Libro.fm is that the audiobooks on this platform are DRM-free (Digital Rights Management), meaning you truly own your audio files and can download them to your device. This is quite different from many other platforms, where you only have access to the books while still being restricted by the terms of use.

I switched to using Libro.fm as my main app for 2024 and have been very satisfied with the experience. The app offers inspiring book recommendations, a user-friendly interface, and easy-to-use controls.

2. Libby: Free and Accessible

Libby, an app by Overdrive, is the best free option for listening to audiobooks. Supported by over 22,000 public libraries in the United States, Libby allows you to borrow eBooks and audiobooks for free with your library card. This app is very useful if you want to try out titles you’re not sure about purchasing.

Libby has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to search, organize, and filter books by various criteria. You can also add multiple library cards to one Libby account, increasing your access to a wide range of titles from different sources.

Although there are some limitations on the number of books you can borrow at once, Libby remains an excellent tool for discovering new books at no cost. After more than 10 years of using Libby, I’ve listened to hundreds of books and have always been pleased with the experience it offers.

3. Everand (Formerly Scribd): The Perfect Blend of eBooks and Audiobooks

Everand is a versatile platform, offering over 400,000 audiobooks along with eBooks, magazines, newspapers, and even sheet music, all for just $11.99 per month. This is an excellent solution for those who want a rich library at their fingertips without spending too much.

Everand is particularly useful if you want quick access to popular titles without having to wait, as you might on Libby. The platform also offers easy-to-use listening controls with features like a sleep timer, adjustable speed, and chapter controls, catering to the needs of modern audiobook enthusiasts.

4. Spotify: Audible’s Newest Competitor

Spotify entered the audiobook market last year and quickly became one of Audible’s biggest competitors. With over 200,000 titles available for streaming and 375,000 titles for purchase, Spotify is steadily establishing its presence in this space.

Spotify offers various membership tiers, from individual plans to family plans, allowing you to listen to audiobooks for up to 15 hours per month without any additional cost. This is a great option if you’re already a Spotify Premium user and want to get more value from your subscription.

5. Chirp: The Best Deals on Individual Audiobook Purchases

Chirp is the ideal app and store for bargain hunters. Unlike many other platforms, Chirp allows you to purchase individual audiobooks at a low price without a monthly subscription. This is a great option for those who want to own books without committing to a membership service.

Chirp offers frequent flash sales and genre-specific book bundles at extremely attractive prices. Although books on Chirp are not guaranteed to be DRM-free, the low prices make it a good choice if you want to save money while still enjoying quality audiobooks.

6. LibriVox: Free Public Domain Audiobooks

LibriVox is the perfect app for those who love classic works and public domain books. Converted into audiobooks by volunteers, LibriVox offers thousands of free titles, making it suitable for educators and lovers of classic literature.

LibriVox is especially useful for providing educational content without requiring significant spending, making it a great tool for schools, libraries, and organizations with limited budgets.

7. Audible: The King of the Audiobook Market

No discussion of audiobooks is complete without mentioning Audible. With its vast catalog and various membership levels, Audible remains the most popular choice on the market. Although the cost may be higher compared to other platforms, Audible offers a comprehensive audiobook experience with many exclusive features like WhisperSync, which allows you to sync reading progress between eBooks and audiobooks.

Audible also offers several service tiers, from Audible Plus with unlimited access to the Plus catalog to Audible Premium Plus with a monthly credit for audiobook purchases. Whether you’re a newcomer or a longtime user, Audible can meet your needs.

Choosing the Right Audiobook App

Choosing the right audiobook app depends on your personal needs and preferences. Each app has its own unique strengths, from supporting local communities and offering free content to providing an optimized user experience. Personally, I use a combination of apps like Libby, Libro.fm, Chirp, and Audible to make the most of the services and deals they offer.

No matter which app you choose, the important thing is that you’ll have an enjoyable and enriching audiobook experience that meets your entertainment and educational needs.